Crossword Genius

Works in ointment to stop case of fleas (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

functions

'works' is the definition.
(function is a kind of work)

'ointment to stop case of fleas' is the wordplay.
'ointment' becomes 'unction' (I've seen this before).
'to stop' is an insertion indicator (stop can mean to plug a hole in something).
'case of' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (like emptying a case).
'fleas' with its centre removed is 'fs'.
'unction' placed into 'fs' is 'FUNCTIONS'.

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for functions that I've seen before include "The uses of something" , "parties" , "Works" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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